River Oak Charter School introduced a new self-contained Transitional Kindergarten classroom called Morning Star for the 2025–26 school year, serving the school's 10 youngest students in a dedicated nurturing environment. The TK teacher holds both a Bilingual Credential and a Waldorf Teaching Certificate. The move responds to California's Universal Pre-Kindergarten initiative and continues River Oak's long-standing commitment to two full years of kindergarten-level learning for its youngest students.

Q1. What is Waldorf education and how does it shape learning at River Oak?

Ans. River Oak Charter follows a Waldorf-inspired curriculum based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner that applies to education through the inclusion of art and music, storytelling and movement as well as a very intentional low-technology learning environment. Subjects are introduced based on a developmental sequence of learning, with an emphasis on experiential and creative learning rather than purely testing.

Q2. How does enrollment work at River Oak Charter, as it is not based on a boundary system?

Ans. River Oak Charter accepts applications from any resident of the Ukiah area through an annual lottery process. Applications are usually accepted in January and February for the next school year, and families may apply via the school's website. The results of the lottery will be announced after the deadline has passed for the application.

Q3. Does River Oak Charter serve the middle school level?

Ans. Yes, River Oak is a K-8 school, meaning that students can continue at that site until Grade 8, at which time they will transition to a high school. River Oak has a K-8 structure as opposed to the majority of elementary schools in the Ukiah Unified School District that go up to Grade 4 or Grade 6.

Q4. Is River Oak Charter free to attend?

Ans. Yes, River Oak is a charter school that is open to all students and provides a free public education in California.

Q5. Is there an emphasis on limiting the amount of technology used in the classroom at River Oak?

Ans. Yes, River Oak is a charter school founded on this philosophy, which is based on the Waldorf philosophy of education. Families want their children to have a low-tech learning environment and, therefore, choose River Oak for this reason.